A teaching union has claimed celebrity culture is "perverting" children's ambitions, and damaging their education.
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers believes that by aspiring to be like their role models children and young people neglect their studies.
The union is to debate a motion at its annual conference next week calling on the government to promote ordinary people as positive role models.
Mary Bousted, the general secretary, said: "We are deeply concerned that many pupils' believe celebrity status is available to everyone.
"They do not understand the hard work it takes to achieve such status and do not think it is important to be actively engaged in school work as education is not needed for a celebrity status."
A survey carried out by the union found teachers believe David and Victoria Beckham are the celebrities most children model themselves on.
The union is to debate a motion at its annual conference next week calling on the government to promote ordinary people as positive role models.
Mary Bousted, the general secretary, said: "We are deeply concerned that many pupils' believe celebrity status is available to everyone.
"They do not understand the hard work it takes to achieve such status and do not think it is important to be actively engaged in school work as education is not needed for a celebrity status."
A survey carried out by the union found teachers believe David and Victoria Beckham are the celebrities most children model themselves on.
